Multiple sheet metal stamping press



May 29,1945. K T. NORRIS 2,377,097

MULTIPLE- SHEET METAL STAMPING PRESS Filed M a.y,l5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet:1

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K. T. NORRIS May 29, 1945.

MULTIPLE SHEET METAL STAMPING PRESS Filed'May 15, '1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented May 29, 1945 OFFICE MULTIPLE SHEET METAL STAMPING PRESS KennethT. Norris, San Marino, Calif.

7 Application May 15, 1944, Serial No. 535,712

17 Claims.

This invention relates to and has for its primary purpose, the provisionof a novel and highly efficient die stamping press which is superior topresses heretofore used in point of increased production and anappreciable saving in labor, time and cost of operation, alsoreliability and performance, by reason of causing the work to betransferred by the female-dies, instead of manually, from one set ofmale and female dies to another and progressively throughout a series ofsuch sets of simultaneously operated dies of differing characteristicsas to size and form, in accordance with my invention.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a press for forming metalarticles of elongated size, wherein the work is successively formed in aplurality of progressive stagesby aseries of sets of die members, forgradually drawing the metal into final form, and in which the femaledies are simultaneously actuated to perform a drawing operation andtemporarily retain the work after drawing, are shifted and operated totransfer the work to adjacent male dies (the completed work from thefemale die of the final die being discharged from the machine), and arethen returned to their original position for another simultaneousdrawing operation. Thus, each blank will be successively drawn andpartially formed at different stages for the producthe other sets istransferred to the male die of the set next adjacent thereto, asaforesaid.

A further purpose is to provide a press of the character describedwherein the operator feeds the work or blank only to the first set ofdies. the other work feeding operations to successive dies beingaccomplished in a predetermined series of steps by the shifting of thefemale dies themselves.

An additional purpose of the invention is to provide a press of thecharacter described which is particularly designed for drawing objectsof tubular or hollow cross section of the type requiring one or moreredraw operations in addition to the first drawing operation. In thisconnection, it is important to note that I have built successfullyoperated a press of the character described. wich has drawn hundreds ofthousands of aluminum articles of tubular cross section requiring tensets of dies and a like number of drawing operations per article, withgreater efficacy and at a lower cost than heretofore possible in theart.

Another purpose of my invention is to provide an improved press of thecharacter described, in which an appreciable economy of construction,operation and production-is brought about by arranging and operatingfemale drawing dies and cooperating male dies or punches so that in thenormal operation of the press it is only necessary to simultaneouslyraise the corresponding female dies of each set abovefthe mating maledies or punches of said sets sufficiently to clear said punches andpermit the female dies with the work supported therein to be shifted fortransferring the work to the male dies of adjacent sets, as hereinbeforepointed out; as compared to drawing dies heretofore used wherein it isnecessary to separate the dies from the punches a distance greater thanthe length of the work in order to manually or otherwise removejhe workand likewise replace it on another male die for redrawing.

My invention, therefore, comprehends the provision of a press embodyinga plurality of sets of drawing dies preferably arranged with themale diemembers or punches spaced apart and fixed to a suitable base or bedwhile the female die members are correspondingly spaced in like centerto center relation on a shiftable carriage mounted for horizontalreciprocation upon a ram member which is vertically movable relative tosaid bed, the flat blanks or discs of metal being fed one at a time tothe initial die set and automatically transferredby thefemalej dies, pro

I gressively, from set to set during the drawing cycle, to be ultimatelyknocked out of the final female die and discharged from the press.

With the foregoing and other objects inview, my invention consists inthe particular construction or combination and relative arrangement ofthe parts and elements as shown in theaccompanying drawings, describedin the following specification and finally defined in the claims heretoappended. It is to be understood that minor changes as to size,proportion and arrangement of parts and elements of the invention may bemade as required without'departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims hereof.

In the drawings: s Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a pressembodying my invention, in part schematic; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rearelevation of the press shown in Fig. 1, also partly schematic;

.Fig. 3 is a. fragmentary left end elevation of the pressshown inFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic fragmentary view partially in section showing theplurality of sets of die members ready for simultaneous operation with afiat blank on the punch of the first set of dies for initial drawingthereof, and with partially drawn work positioned on the remainingpunches ready to be redrawn;

Fig. is a schematic view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the die membersand work in their relative positions at the end of a drawing stroke.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the upper orfemale die members shifted to the left of the position shown in Figs. 4and 5, for transferring the work of each set of dies to the male orlower die next adjacent thereto, the work pieces being shown in dottedlines to indicate their position while retained in the upper dies, andin full lines to indicate the action of the knock-out means to efiectsaid transfer;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view partly in section of one of the dies,showing the manner in which an upper die retains the work afterstamping. whereby the work may be transferred; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section through one set of diesand the work showing the manner in which the drawing operation takesplace. i

There is shown in the accompanying drawings.

for the purpose of illustrating one embodiment of my invention, amultiple die press for making articles of tubular cross section but itis to be understood and it will be apparent from the followingdescription that my invention may be embodied in other types of pressesand dies.

As here shown, the press bed I is provided with a bolster 2 and die shoe3 on which a plurality of male die members or punches 4 are afiixed inupright position for cooperation with a series of female die members 5supported on a die shoe 6 carried by a laterally slidable carriage Imounted on a ram member 8 guided by the press en'd frame portions 9, 9.The male and female die members 4 and 5, respectively, are laterallyspaced apart correspondingly in rows for initially engaging a blank andthereafter successively engaging the partially formed articlesthroughout a progressing series of cycles to and including the final dieset. Each of these set is of a different size and obviously may, ifdesired, be made to change the shape or form of the work. In the presentcase,

the die sets are successively reduced in diameter from right to left, asviewed in Fig. 1. The first set of dies A at the right end of the rowperforms the initial drawing operation on the blank C which is fedthereto manually, but of course may be machine fed if desired. The lastset B at the end of the row finishes the particular product of thepress,'and a set of dies B (Fig. 4) performs an intermediate drawinoperation. The number of sets of dies B between the sets A and B can bevaried to meet the requirements of a given stamping job. Thus, the setsof dies are designed to collectively form a tubular article of givensize or form, but it is apparent that any dies, which by theircollective effect on a given blank will produce a given-shaped article,could be used within the concept of my invention.

It will be noted that all of the dies 5 have main cavities 5a and allexcept the initial die 5 have countercavities 5b, into which cavitiesthe partially formed pieces of work E extend, and into whichcountercavities the skirts r of rings R extend when the punches 4 anddies 5 are positioned as shown in Fig. 5. Also, the rings B may be urgedupwardly toward the dies 5 as by compression springs r or pressureinfluenced pistons as shown in Fig. 6.

When the drawing stroke occurs, the work flows out or is guided by thepressure rings R as the female dies descend in relation to the punches4, as clearly seen in Fig. 8.

There is friction between the drawn work and the female dies 5 as wellas between the drawn work and the punches 4, and the tensioned rings Rare adapted upon retraction of the female dies 5 to strip the Work fromthe punches 4 so that such work may be retained by the female dies 5 fortransfer to a succeeding forming position.

In carrying out my invention, any conventional or suitable means can beemployed for effecting operation of the press in the following manner:

With the press loaded as shown in Fig. 4.- so that the first set of diesA contains a blank C in position to be initially drawn, the successiveset B, B loaded with partially formed work E, the ram 8 is actuated byrods i0, i0 associated with conventional power cylinders andconventional and/or suitable control means therefor (not shown) tosimultaneously effect the down or working stroke of the female dies 5,as indicated in Fig. 8, until at the end of the stroke, as shown in Fig.5, the forming operation of each set is completed, the stroke of the die5 being equal but each set of dies producing work of a differentdiameter and length. As here shown, but three reductions aresimultaneously made, but I have successfully operated a press having tensets of dies and making a like number of reductions per simultaneousworking stroke of the dies. After the completion of the down stroke, theram 8 is actuated to lift the dies 5 with the work retained therein tothe position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6 and full lines in Fig.7, until the dies are sufficiently raised, say /2 inch or less above themale die members or punches 4, to permit of shifting of the female dies5. This up stroke is followed by a lateral shifting of the carriage l onthe ram 8 to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, whereby the dies 5and the work therein are positioned to permit of the transfer of thework of the starting .set A to the male die or punch 4 of theintermeditae set 13 and so on with the die 5 of each set advancing thework for deposit onto the male die of the next set, the die 5 offinishing set B at this time disposing the finished work F to the leftof its associated male die in position to be discharged from the pressonto a chute G, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6.

The carriage l is limited in the aforementioned movement on the rain 8by the engagement of a lug H on said carriage with the end of a threadedand adjustable stop l2 mounted on the front of said rain. The movementof the carriage 1 in the opposite direction is limited by the engagementof the lug I! with the end of a similar threaded stop I3, as will appearmore fully hereinafter.

, Following the shifting of the carriage 1 toward the left. as viewed inFig. 1, a work ejecting or knock-out means K operates for commonlyejecting or stripping the work from the female die members 5, wherebythe work E will gravitate into position overlying the punches l and besupported as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, by the yieldable workholding or pressure rings R, the finished. work F gravitating from thepress onto a take-oil" chute G. The knock-out means K is then retracted.

When this transfer and ejection of the work has taken place, thecarriage l is returned to shown in Fig. 4, the operator feedinga freshblank into position, thereby placing the press in readiness for anotherforming operation, which operation follows the return movement of thecarriage l and dies 5. lhe return movement of the carriage l on the ram8 is limited by the engagement of the lug H with the end of the stop l3.

Inasmuch asthis invention primarily embraces a new arrangement and modeof operation of sets of dies for the purposes hereinbefore stated,rather than a particular press, the accompanying drawings show sucharrangement and mode of operation in detail, but illustrate onlydiagrammatically the operating mechanisms and other elements of thepress, and only to such extent as deemed necessary to fully show how theinvention may be carried out. The operating mechanismsmay be controlledby any suitable means, so long as the cycle of operation aforedescribedis carried out. Thus, the ram 8 is but partly shown and may include therods or plungers ill, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which are operated byhydraulic cylinders, not shown,

with the carriage l and containing a piston 20 mounted upon a hollow rodl8 suitably fixed on the back of the ram 8 by mountings 24, 24. Op-

and 6. This ejected work, save the finished work A will drop :onto themale die members 4 in crating fluid under pressure for effecting movetothe right in Fig. 2, so as to shift the carriageand dies 5correspondingly into the position shown in Figs. 1., 2 and 6, wherebythe work in each female die 5 will be positioned to the left of itscompanion male die or punch 4, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 6, and over themale die or punch of the next set to the left, save for the" finishedwork F in the die of the finishing set B, which work is positioned todrop into chute G upon ejection by the strippers or knock-outs K, theoperating mechanism of which will now be described.

After the carriage 1 and dies 5 have been shifted to the left, as shownin Figs. 1 and 6, fluid under pressure is admitted into a cylinder fixedon the ram 8, from pipe 26 (Fig. 1) so as to shift the piston 21 to theright and like-' wise move a rack 28 connected with the piston andextending from opposite ends of the cylinder. This rack operates pinions29 journalled on the ram and which mesh with vertical racks 30 on ahorizontal knock-out operating head 3! vertically slidable onthe ram.These pinions are rotated counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 1, and theracks 3 0 and the head 31 will be forced downwardly so that theknock-out rods 32 which may be connected or engaged to said head in anysuitable manner will move downwardly and eject the work as shown inFigs. 1

the ram 8, as aforedescribed.

readiness for redrawing thereof as hereinbefore pointed out, thefinished work being discharged onto-chute G as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 6.

As the knock-out or ejecting operation is completedfiuid underpressurcis admitted into the cylinder '25 through the pipe 35 so that the rackmoves to the left '(Fig. l) and thereby rotates the pinions l9 clockwisewhereby to raisethe racks3li, knock-out head 3i and knock-out rods3K2,t'he latter assuming the position shown in dotted lines i'nFig. 6.Manifestly, the fluid for actuating the "piston '21 maybe admitted andexhausted from the cylinder '25 through the pipes 26 and. 35 by anyconventional and/or suitable hydraulic cylinder control means (notshown).

' At the completion of the up or return stroke of the knock-outmechanism fluid under pres sure is admitted through line 38 (Fig. 2),fixed "hollow rod 18, outlet"'l9 in said rod, and thence intothe'cylinder 21 on theicarriage 1, whereby to move the cylinder 2| tothe left. as viewed to starting position. the operator feeds a blank tothe initial die'or punch member 4 of the set of dies A, as aforesaid,and therefore when the carriage l and said dies complete the returnshift they are in proper position to effect another down ordrawingstroke so as'to simul taneously draw the blank and redraw the partiallydrawn work upon downward movement of This application is a'continuation-in-part of an application filed by me'on the 'Zndday ofAugust, 1940, Serial No. 349,679.

I claim the following! 1. In a press for performing a series of drawingoperations whereby a blank is drawn into adesired shapefthe combinationof a stationary bed, a plurality of punches fixedly mounted in a row onSaidbed, a ram'slidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement, acarriage slidably mounted on said ram for horizontal movement, aplurality'ofdies fixedly mounted on said carriage corresponding innumber and complementary in character to said respective punchesandhaving the same center to center spacing and alignment asthe punchesand adapted to retain the drawn work therein, said carriage having onelimit of horizontal movement at which said dies are vertically alignedwith their complementary punches, and another limit at which all but thelast of said dies' are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series, means to vertically reciprocate said ramwhen said dies are aligned with their complementary punches'forsimultaneously performing a plurality of drawing operations, and meansin association with said'dies to strip the drawn work from said diestodeposit it on the progressively adjacent punches when said dies arealigned with said'punches.

2. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations wherebyablank is drawnihto a desired shape, the combination of a stationarybed,

a plurality of punches fixedly mounted in a row on said bed, a ramslidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriageslidably mounted on said ram for horizontal movement, a plurality ofdies fixedly mounted on said carriage corresponding in number andcomplementary in character to said respective punches and having thesame center to center spacing and alignment as the punches and adaptedto retain the drawn work therein, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement at which said dies are ver-' tically aligned withtheir complementary punches, and another limit at which all but the lastof said dies are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series, means to vertically reciprocate said ramwhen said dies are aligned with their complementary punches forsimultaneously performing a plurality of drawing operations, yieldablymounted pressure rings on said punches to receive the work when strippedfrom the dies, to yield upon advance of said dies, and to strip thedrawn work as said dies are withdrawn whereby said work is retained inthe dies, and means in association with said dies to strip the drawnwork from said dies to deposit it on the progressively adjacent puncheswhen said dies are aligned with such punches.

3. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations whereby ablank is drawn into a tubular shape, the combination of: a stationarybed, a plurality of punches fixedly mounted in a row on said bed, a ramslidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriageslidably mounted on said ram for horizontal movement, a plurality ofdies fixedly mounted on said carriage corresponding in number andcomplementary in character to said respective punches and having thesame center to center spacing and alignment as the punches and adaptedto retain the drawn work therein, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement at which said dies are vertically aligned with theircomplementary punches, and another limit at which all but the last ofsaid dies are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series, means to vertically reciprocate said ramwhen said dies are aligned with their complementary punches forsimultaneously performing a plurality of drawing operations, means onsaid punches to strip the drawn work as said dies are withdrawn wherebysaid work is retained in the dies, and strippers extendable through saiddies to strip the drawn work from said dies to deposit it on theprogressively adjacent punches when said dies are aligned with suchpunches.

4. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations whereby ablank is drawn into a tubular shape, the combination of: a stationarybed, a plurality of punches fixedly mounted in a row on said bed, a ramslidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriageslidably mounted on said ram for horizontal movemerit, a plurality ofdies fixedly mounted on said carriage corresponding in number andcomplementary in character to said respective punches and having thesame center to center spacing and alignment as the punches and adaptedto retain the drawn work therein, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement at which said dies are vertically aligned with theircomplementary punches, and another limit at which all but the last ofsaid dies are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series,

means to vertically reciprocate said ram when said dies are aligned withtheir complementary punches for simultaneously performing a plurality ofdrawing operations, yieldably mounted pressure rings on said punches toreceive the work when stripped from the dies, to yield upon advance ofsaid dies, and to strip the drawn work as said dies are withdrawnwhereby said work is retained in the dies, and strippers extendablethrough said dies to strip the drawn work from said dies to deposit iton the progressively adjacent punches when said dies are aligned withsuch punches.

5. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations whereby ablank is drawn into a tubular shape by drawing operations whichprogressively reduce the diameter of said blank or work, the combinationof: a stationary bed, a plurality of punches of progressively reduceddiameters fixedly mounted in alignment on said bed, a ram slidablymounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriage slidablymounted on said ram for horizontal movement, a plurality of dies fixedlymounted on said carriage corresponding in number and complementary incharacter to said respective punches and having the same center tocenter spacing and alignment as the punches and adapted to retain thedrawn work therein, said carriage having one limit of horizontalmovement at which said dies are vertically aligned with theircomplementary punches, and another limit at which all but the last ofsaid dies are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series, means to vertically reciprocate said ramwhen said dies are aligned with their complementary punches forsimultaneously performing a plurality of drawing operations, means onsaid punches to strip the drawn work as said dies are withdrawn wherebysaid Work is retained in the dies, and means in association with saiddies to strip the drawn work from said dies to deposit it on theprogressively adjacent punches when said dies are aligned with suchpunches.

6. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations whereby ablank is drawn into a tubular shape, the combination of: a stationarybed, a plurality of punches fixedly mounted in a row on said bed, a ramslidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriageslidably mounted on said ram for horizontal move- 1nent,'a plurality ofdies fixedly mounted on said carriage corresponding in number andcomplementary in character to said respective punches and having thesame center to center spacing and alignment as the punches and adaptedtoretain the drawn work therein, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement at which said dies are vertically aligned with theircomplementary punches and another limit at which all but the last ofsaid dies are verically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series and said last die is disposed at a deliveryposition progressively adjacent the final punch of the series, means tovertically reciprocate said ram when said dies are aligned with theircomplementary punches for simultaneously performing a plurality ofdrawing operations, means on said punches to strip the drawn work assaid dies are withdrawn whereby said work is retained in the dies, andmeans in association with said dies to strip the drawn work from saiddies to deposit it on the progressively adjacent punches when said diesare aligned with said punches.

'7. In a press for performing a series of drawing operations whereby ablank is drawn into a tubular shape by drawing operations whichprogressively reduce the'diameter of said blank or work, the combinationof: a stationary bed, a plurality of punches of progressively reduced d1ameters fixedly mounted in alignment, on said bed, a ram slidablymounted above said bed for vertical movement, a carriage slidablymounted on said ram for horizontal movement, a plurality of dies fixedlymounted on said carriage corresponding, in number and complementary incharacter to said respective punch'es'and having the same center tocenter spacing and alignment as the punches and adapted to'retain thedrawn work therein, said carriage having one limit of horizontalmovement at which said dies are 'vertically aligned with theircomplementary punches, and another limit at which all but the last ofsaid dies are vertically aligned with the next adjacent punchesprogressively in the series, means to vertically reciprocate said ramwhen said dies are aligned with their complementary punches forsimultaneously performing a plurality of drawing operations, yieldablymounted pressure rings on said punches to re- I ceive the work whenstripped from the dies, to yield upon advance of 'said dies, and tostrip the drawn work as said dies are withdrawn whereby said work isretained in the dies, and strippers extendable through said dies tostrip the drawn work from said dies to deposit it on the progressivelyadjacent punches when 'said dies are aligned with such punches.

8, A press of the character described comprisw ing: a frame including abed, a plurality of punch and die units mounted on said frame, a ramverticallyslidable on the frame, a carriage horizontally slidable on theram, the punches of said units beingflxed to the bed of the frame andthe dies being supported on said carriage, said units being uniformlyspaced apart with the dies and punches thereof arranged in horizontalrows, means for moving the carriage and the dies carried thereby to anextent of the center to center distance between adjacent dies while theram is at rest at its uppermost limit of movement for shifting all ofthe dies simultaneously between normal positions of registration withtheir complementary punches to positions of registration with the nextsucceeding punches and vice versa, whereby pieces of work are operatedupon by an initial punch and die unit and are then transferred tosucceeding pun-ch and die units progressively for successive operationsand following operation by a final unit are discharged from the press,and means for vertically reciprocating the ram and the carriage forextending and retracting the dies to and from operative engagement withthe Work and the associated punches.

9. A press of the character described in claim 8 including: tensionedwork supporting rings associated with and yieldable relative to thepunches, one of said rings initially receiving a blank and the remainingrings receiving partially formed work of progressively decreasingdiameter and gradually increasing depth.

10. A press of the character described in claim 8 including: tensionedwork'supporting means associated with and yieldable relative to thepunches, the tensioned work supporting means associated with the firstpunch in the row initially receiving a blank and the remaining tensionedwork supporting means receiving partially formed work of progressivelydecreasing diameter and gradually increasing depth, said dies havingcavities and counter-cavities substantially"corresponding in diameter tothe external dimension 'of the work formed in given operations and theinternal dimension of the- 8 including; tensioned rings associated withand yieldable relative to the punches for receiving and supportingthepieces of work as they progress from one unit to a succeeding unit andare'operativ'e for stripping the pieces of work from the punchessubsequent to forming operations,'whereby said pieces of work areretained in the dies-for deposit upon succeeding rings of theseries, andmeans associated with the dies engageable with and for ejecting thepieces of work therefrom for deposit upon the next succeeding punches.

13. A press of the character described in claim 8 including: meanscarried by said carriage and by said ram for limiting the movement ofthe carriage in opposite directions.

14. A press of the character described in claim 8 including: meansassociated with the punches for stripping the work therefrom at thecompletion of each operation whereby the pieces of work are retained inthe associated dies, means including individual ejectors carried by theseveral dies, and common engaging means for effecting their operation inthe discharge of the pieces of work therefrom.

15. A press for performing a series of drawing operations upon a blankto convert said blank into an article of desired shape, comprising: astationary bed, a plurality of die members fixedly mounted in a straightrow upon said bed, a ram above said bed, means slidably guiding said ramfor vertical movement in a fixed path toward and away from said dies, acarriage slidably mounted upon said ram for horizontal reciprocatingmovement thereon, a plurality of dies fixedly mounted in a straight rowupon said carriage and being complementary in character to saidrespective first-mentioned dies and having the same center to centerspacing and alignment as said first-mentioned dies, said carriage havingone limit of horizontal movement in which the dies carried thereby arevertically aligned with their complementary dies on said bed, andanother limit of movement in which all dies except the last die on saidcarriage are vertically aligned with the next adjacent die on said bed,and stop means constraining the movement of said carriage to saidaforementioned two limits.

16. A press for performing a series of drawing operations upon a blankto convert said blank into an article of desired shape, comprising: astationary bed, a plurality of male die members of progressivelydecreasing size fixedly mounted in a straight row upon said bed, a ramslidably mounted above said bed for vertical movement toward and awayfrom said male dies, a carriage slidably mounted upon said ram forhorizontal reciprocating movement thereon, a plurality of female diesfixedly mounted in a straight row upon said carriage and beingcomplementary in character to said respective male dies and having thesame center to center spacing, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement in which said female dies are vertically alignedwith their complementary male dies, and another limit of movement inwhich all but the last of said female dies are vertically aligned withthe next adjacent male die progressively in the series, and stop meanson said ram constraining the movement of said carriage to saidaforementioned two limits.

17. A press for performing a series of drawing operations upon a blankto convert said flat blank into an elongated hollow article of desiredshape, comprising: a stationary bed, a plurality of male die members ofprogressively decreasing size fixedly mounted in a straight row uponsaid bed, a ram slidably mounted above said bed for vertical movementtoward and away from said male dies, a carriage slidably mounted uponsaid ram for horizontal reciprocating movement thereon, a plurality offemale dies fixedly mounted in a straight row upon said carriage and.being complementary in character to said respective male dies and havingthe same center to center spacing, said carriage having one limit ofhorizontal movement in which said female dies are vertically alignedwith their complementary male dies, and another limit of movement inwhich all female dies except the female die smallest in size arevertically aligned with the next adjacent male die progressively in theseries, stop means constraining the movement of said carriage to'saidaforementioned two limits, said female dies being adapted to retain thedrawn work therein and to transfer the same upon movement of saidcarriage from said one limit of movement to said other limit ofmovement, and knock-out means for stripping the drawn work from all ofsaid female dies when said carriage is in a position corresponding tosaid other limit of movement, to deposit the incompletely drawn Workupon the underlying male dies, the completely drawn work in said femaledie of smallest size being stripped for discharge from the press.

' KENNETH T. NORRIS.

